Airports: Baggage Screening

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is a legal requirement for any airport in the United Kingdom to screen baggage as it is brought into the airport; if so, to which airports this applies; and why.

Lord Davies of Oldham: There is no legal requirement for airports in the United Kingdom to screen baggage as it is brought into the terminal.

Arms Export Licences

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What safeguards they have put in place to ensure that recent satellite technology sales by a United Kingdom company to China do not contravene military dual use technology transfer regulations.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Applications for licences to export any controlled dual-use goods are carefully considered on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria and the Government's other international commitments. This includes where there are grounds for believing that the end user will be the armed forces or internal security forces of the recipient country. Assessment under the criteria includes strict assessments of the risk that goods might be diverted to undesirable end users or end use. A licence will not be issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the criteria or other relevant commitments.

Arms Export Licences

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they have put in place to ensure that British dual-use technology with potential military applications does not fall into the hands of the People's Liberation Army of China.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Applications for licences to export any controlled dual-use goods are carefully considered on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national export licensing criteria, which incorporate the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports and the Government's other international commitments. This consideration includes where there are grounds for believing that the end user will be the armed forces or internal security forces of the recipient country. Assessment under the criteria includes strict assessments of the risk that goods might be diverted to undesirable end users or end use. A licence will not be issued where to do so would be inconsistent with the criteria or other relevant commitments.

Aviation Health: Contaminated Air

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Davies of Oldham on 19 October (WA 126), how, in the event of a system failure and a contaminated air event occurring, aircrews know that such an event has occurred in the absence of monitoring devices when the contaminated air is caused by compounds, such as carbon monoxide, that have no odour.

Lord Davies of Oldham: In the absence of odour, and in the absence of any discernible effects, aircrew will not know that a contaminated air event has occurred. In such a case reliance is placed upon routine maintenance actions to find and fix the system failure.

Indian Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Triesman on 8 November (WA 67), at which of the meetings identified in the Answer Regulations 3 to 5 and Schedule I to the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/2175) were explained to the Indian authorities.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: On the basis of documents held by both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office, the recollections of officials involved in the discussions and publicity material which was widely available to the general public at the time, we are satisfied that the statutory provisions for acquisition of the status of British National (Overseas) were fully explained to the Indian authorities in the course of our discussions throughout 1997 and 1998.
	A Note Verbale seeking clarification on matters relating to Indian citizenship and which reiterated that BN(O) status could only be acquired by registration, was sent to the Indian Government on 20 April 2005 but we have yet to receive a substantive reply.

Carbon Emissions

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their aim is to minimise carbon emissions; and, if so, whether the minimisation of carbon emissions is the aim of the biofuels obligation.

Lord Davies of Oldham: It is a government aim to reduce carbon emissions in order to address the threat of climate change. The principal aim of the renewable transport fuels obligation is to contribute to our climate change objectives. We estimate that it will deliver around 1 million tonnes of carbon savings in 2010. Increased use of biofuels will also contribute to the UK's diversity and security of energy supply, and benefit our agricultural sector.

China: Human Rights

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of China about the arrest of the Chinese human rights activist, Chen Guang-Cheng, in connection with forced sterilisation of women and abortions in Shondong province.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: We regularly raise individual human rights cases with the Chinese Government, including during the biannual UK and EU China dialogues. The EU, under the UK's presidency, raised the case of Chen Guang-Cheng with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 12 October and 17 November. The EU urged the Chinese Government to ensure Chen's release from house arrest and investigate reports of assault on Chen and his lawyers.

Civil Service: Unlawful Discrimination

Lord Ouseley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action has been taken against staff who have perpetrated acts of unlawful discrimination while in the employment of the Civil Service.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Cabinet Office does not hold central information about individual departmental cases on this specific area/issue. The Civil Service Management Code (CSMC) equal opportunities policy states that there must be no unfair discrimination. Departments and agencies must comply with equal opportunities legislation and with codes of practice issued under such legislation as well as with the CSMC. They must have in place procedures for handling complaints of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Community Design Regulations 2005

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the purpose of Paragraph 5(1)(c) (Reference of Disputes relating to Crown use) of the Schedule to the Community Design Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/2339), in light of Paragraph 4(4) (Crown use: compensation for loss of profit).

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: Paragraph 5(1) sets out the grounds on which matters may be referred to the court and makes it clear that it covers the whole of Paragraph 4. Paragraph 4(4) limits the extent under this schedule to which compensation for lost contracts can be offered through an action taken through the courts.
	To further explain, under Paragraph 1 of the schedule to the regulations, certain activities conducted for the services of the Crown do not infringe the rights in a community design (registered or unregistered). Normally, the government department concerned has to settle the terms of use with the holder of the community design (Paragraph 2 of that schedule). The government department may also have to compensate the holder (or an exclusive licensee) for loss he suffered as a result of not being awarded a contract (Paragraph 4). Paragraph 4(4) sets out that no compensation is payable through these provisions for any contract lost where the use is not for services of the Crown (in other words which falls outside paragraph 1). This provision thus attempts to avoid any doubt that non-Crown usage cannot be compensated for as Crown use, and must be the subject of a contract if it is not to infringe.
	A similar approach has been adopted in the Registered Designs Act 1949 (see first schedule, Paragraph 2A(4)); and, in relation to design right, in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (see Section 243(4)).

Criminal Offences

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What practices, activities, modes of behaviour or actions, which were lawful before 1 May 1997, have since been made unlawful or criminal.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Although the Home Office is responsible for scrutinising proposals for new offences, no comprehensive records are kept centrally of all new criminal offences created or abolished across the Home Office or government more generally. Criminal offences may be created for different reasons and do not necessarily extend the scope of the criminal law. For example the Sexual Offences Act 2003 created and repealed a large number of offences without significantly changing the overall coverage of the law. The latest information available shows that between 1 May 1997 and April 2005 the Home Office created 404 new offences. More detailed information is not held and could be identified and listed only at disproportionate cost. However it is possible to set out the number of offences created in each Home Office-sponsored Act since 1 May 1997. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 created two new offences. It also created nine racially-aggravated offences (amended by the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 to "racially or religiously aggravated offences"), but these are based on existing offences and do not render unlawful behaviour which would otherwise have been lawful. The Data Protection Act 1998 created four new offences. The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 created 12 new offences. The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 created four new offences. The Football (Offences and Disorder) Act 1999 created one new offence. The Terrorism Act 2000 created 38 new offences. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 created four new criminal offences. The Football (Disorder) Act 2000 created two new criminal offences. The Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 created one new criminal offence. The Freedom of Information Act 2000 created three new criminal offences. The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 created 69 new criminal offences. The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 created three new criminal offences. The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 created two new criminal offences. The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 created 15 new criminal offences. The Vehicle (Crimes) Act 2001 created 12 new criminal offences. The Private Security Industry Act 2001 created 10 new offences. The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 created 19 new offences. The International Criminal Court Act 2001 created two new criminal offences. The Mobile Telephones (Re-programming) Act 2002 created five new criminal offences. The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 created 19 new criminal offences. The Police Reform Act 2002 created 23 new criminal offences. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 created 28 new criminal offences. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 created, modified or re-enacted 61 criminal offences. The Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 created one new criminal offence and modified another. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 created 15 new criminal offences. The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 created two new criminal offences. The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 created two new offences. The Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of Claimants, etc.) Act 2004 created eight new criminal offences and modified six criminal offences. The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005 created three new criminal offences. The Drugs Act 2005 created two new criminal offences. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 created 26 new criminal offences

Egypt: Human Rights

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in pursuance of the human rights obligation provided by Article 2 of the European Union-Egypt Association Agreement, they will make representations during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union to the Egyptian authorities about their introduction of identity cards, requiring citizens to declare whether they are Muslim, Christian or Jewish, in order to secure their entitlement to public services.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: As stated in the Egyptian constitution, all Egyptian citizens should be treated equally, regardless of religion. It is important that provision is made for all Egyptian citizens to receive identity cards.
	The UK, along with Australia, USA, Canada and Ireland, took part in a demarche on the Egyptian Government in December 2004 on the topic of identity cards. We plan to make our concerns known to the Egyptian Government shortly.

House of Lords: Electrical Equipment

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	How the House of Lords disposes of obsolete electrical equipment.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: Obsolete electrical is disposed of by the Parliamentary Estate's waste removal contractor in accordance with appropriate regulations. For example, refrigerators are broken up in a facility which removes potentially harmful fluids for correct disposal while the metal is removed for scrap processing. Televisions are either recycled as reconditioned units, or they are broken down to their constituent parts and recycled.
	As agreed by the Information Committee, obsolete computers are donated for use in developing countries once all data have been erased.

House of Lords: Electrical Equipment

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What number of (a) refrigerators and (b) television sets have been replaced in the House of Lords in the past two years; and what energy saving criteria are employed in the purchase of replacements.

Lord Brabazon of Tara: Figures for the House of Lords are not held separately, but approximately 70 refrigerators and 90 television sets have been replaced in both Houses over the past two years.
	Almost all the new television sets installed in the Parliamentary Estate, including those recently installed in the Lords corridors, are now of the flat screen type. These typically use 35 per cent less energy than the sets they replaced. There are no specific energy-saving criteria for the purchase of refrigerators.

India: Dalits

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the government of India on the limitations on religious freedom accorded to Dalits in the law of various states and of India itself; and what information they have received in response.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: It is our understanding that the Dalits in India who convert to religions other than the Sikh, Jain or Buddhist religions are not entitled, under the Indian constitution, to the privileges or benefits accorded to those of "scheduled caste" status. Such privileges include reservations and quota systems aimed at bringing Dalits and other tribal groups into the political and social mainstream. The British High Commission in New Delhi has raised this issue with the Indian Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and was informed that the commission was in favour of retaining the current restriction on the extension of privileges. We understand that the Supreme Court of India is at present considering the issue of whether Dalit converts to Christianity should retain the rights and reservations afforded to the scheduled castes. We will continue to take a close interest in developments.
	We are concerned by reports of discrimination against Dalit and other minority communities in India. The British High Commission in New Delhi has discussed these issues, with reference to specific cases that have been brought to our attention, with the Indian National Commission for Minorities and with various state-level authorities, drawing their attention to British parliamentary and public concern. The British High Commission will continue to do so. The UK presidency is planning to take forward this human rights dialogue before the end of this year and is consulting EU partners and the government of India on the form, content and timing of the dialogue.

India: Dalits

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What projects they are supporting in India to increase the capacity of Dalit organisations to work towards equality for their people and, in particular, to ensure that Dalits who convert to religions other than Hinduism do not forfeit any legal rights enjoyed by Hindu Dalits.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Christian Aid is one of seven project partners in the Department for International Development's (DfID) proposed international non-governmental organisation (NGO) partnership agreement programme (IPAP). Christian Aid supports a network of Dalit and Adivasi community-based and advocacy organisations that advocate for Dalit rights enshrined in the constitution of India. If the IPAP programme is approved by the government of India these organisations will be supported by DfID through the programme.
	One aim of the proposed IPAP programme is to enhance collaboration between the partner NGOs and their civil society networks. Discussion is already taking place between the programme partners on how Dalits will be integrated and included in planned programme activities relating to children, violence against women, healthcare provision, disability and water. DfID has no plans to promote or support any activities that relate to religious conversion.
	In addition to the above, the British High Commission in New Delhi has raised, on a number of occasions, the broader issue of minority rights with the National Minorities Commission of India, and more specifically issues relating to Dalit rights with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The High Commission is in regular contact with Dalit NGOs and civil society groups.

Information Security: Department for International Development

Lord Harris of Haringey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Minister has responsibility for information security in the Department for International Development.

Baroness Amos: The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department of International Development is responsible for information security within the department.

Iran: Baha'is

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the Iranian authorities on the denial of the right to higher education for citizens belonging to the Baha'i faith.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: We have serious concerns at the failure of the Iranian authorities to respect the rights of religious minorities. The Baha'i International Community reports that members of the Baha'i faith in Iran are facing increasing problems of intimidation, confiscation of property and arbitrary detention. Baha'i students have not been able to access higher education unless they deny their faith or accept that it is incorrectly recorded on official university forms.
	During the UK's presidency of the EU, we have pressed the Iranian authorities on several occasions to address the problems faced by the Baha'i community. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary did so when he first met Iran's new Foreign Minister, Manuchehr Mottaki, in September. The UK and other EU member states co-sponsored a resolution on human rights in Iran that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee on 18 November. The resolution expresses concern at, among other things, the "increased discrimination against the Baha'is, including . . . the denial of access to higher education, employment, pensions and other benefits".

Iran: Human Rights

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the postponement of the European Union-Iran human rights dialogue originally scheduled for September, they will during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union formulate a demarche to Iran on the state of human rights since President Ahmedinejad came into office.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: We remain deeply concerned at serious violations of human rights in Iran. On 7 November, EU Foreign Ministers expressed disappointment that the EU-Iran Human Rights Dialogue has not been held since June 2004, despite repeated attempts on the EU's part to agree dates for the next round. The EU has recently proposed dates in December; we have not had a response. The EU has urged Iran to take steps to resume substantive discussions under the dialogue and to demonstrate by its actions that it is willing to improve respect for human rights.
	As EU presidency, we have been active in pressing the Iranian authorities on the EU's human rights concerns. We have done so on at least 12 occasions.

Iran: Human Rights

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, as President of the European Union, they will propose to the Canadian sponsors of the proposed United Nations Third Committee resolution on Iran an additional clause providing for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur of the General Assembly on human rights in Iran.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: When drawing up this resolution, Canada considered a number of suggestions from like-minded governments and non-governmental organisations, among them the appointment of a special rapporteur. After consultation, and by general consensus of the interested parties, Canada decided not to take forward the idea of a special rapporteur. Special rapporteurs are usually appointed by the Commission on Human Rights rather than the United Nations General Assembly.
	We welcome the adoption of the resolution by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly on 18 November. The UK and all other EU member states co-sponsored it. The resolution attracted more co-sponsors and was adopted by a larger margin than in recent years. This reflects worldwide concern at decreasing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Iran.

Israel: Nuclear Weapons

Baroness Tonge: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Israeli Government concerning reports about Israel's possible stockpile of nuclear weapons.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Government have on a number of occasions called on Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state and to the Chemical Weapons Convention, and will continue to do so.
	We also continue to call upon Israel to sign a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Under such an agreement with the IAEA, Israel's nuclear facilities would be subject to regular inspection to detect and eliminate any diversion of nuclear materials for weapons production. The UK has also consistently supported UN resolutions calling for the establishment of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction. That zone would include Israel. We take appropriate opportunities to discuss all aspects of non-proliferation with representatives of the Israeli Government.

Judicial Diversity Programme

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 2 November (WS 17–18), whether the Judicial Diversity Programme has enhanced or will enhance the integrity and competence of the judiciary.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The judiciary of England and Wales is of the highest possible standard and quality. To remain so it must become more diverse. The purpose of the Judicial Diversity Programme is to encourage those from under-represented groups to apply for judicial appointment in order to ensure that, in selecting people on merit for appointment to judicial office, we have access to the widest possible pool of talent. Judicial diversity is central to merit and the maintenance of merit.

Live Music: DCMS Press Release

Lord Redesdale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultations they held with (a) Market and Opinion Research International, and (b) the Live Music Forum prior to the addition of an extra point under "Notes to Editors" and the change to the quotation by the Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport contained in the press release issued by the department on 25 August, entitled Live Music Scene—The Verdict; who sanctioned those changes; and when they were made.

Lord Davies of Oldham: On 10 May 2005, MORI informed the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) of a complaint made to the Market Research Society (MRS) by a third party. The complainant argued that DCMS's press release of 25 August 2004, announcing the results of MORI's research into the performance of live music, had contained a misleading statement. The MRS upheld this complaint, and on 27 September 2005 MORI asked DCMS if it would amend its press release by adding the words "and other venues" to the reference to "bars, clubs and restaurants", and by inserting an additional footnote in the "Notes to Editors" to list the range of venues covered by the survey. DCMS officials complied with this request on 21 October. The Live Music Forum was not consulted as the change was a minor one, and the executive summary of MORI's report, which had been sent to journalists with the original press release, had already made clear the range of venues covered by the survey.

Ministerial Code

Baroness Wilcox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will extend paragraph 3.1 of the Ministerial Code so that, as well as being under a duty to give fair consideration to informed and impartial advice from civil servants in researching policy decisions, Ministers are also under a duty to seek such advice in the first place.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Government do not accept that there is a problem in this area, and therefore do not support this amendment.

National Offender Management Service

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many new staff have been recruited for the National Offender Management regional management teams; and how many of these have come from HM Prison Service line management.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Please see the table below.
	
		Regional Offender Manager Staffing (excluding ROMs)
		
			  
			 London: 4 
			 2 x Home Office; SPS—Senior Personal Secretary 
			  HEO—Office Manager 
			 1 x HMPS; Grade seven—Commissioning Manager 
			 1 x NPS; Grade seven—Commissioning Manager  
			 South East: 8 
			 2 x Home Office; SPS—Senior Personal Secretary 
			  Grade seven (t/p)—RRAP Programme Manager 
			 2 x HMPS; Senior Manager A—Deputy ROM 
			  Senior Manager D—Commissioning Manager 
			 2 x NPS; Grade six—Commissioning Manager and 
			  Grade seven—Performance Monitor/Quality Assurance lead 
			 2 x Agency; Grade six equivalents—Management Accountants  
			 Wales: 7 
			 1 x Home Office; HEO—Office Manager 
			 1 x HMPS; Senior Manager B—Commissioning Manager 
			 2 x NPS Assistant Chief Officer—Commissioning Manager 
			  Grade seven—Planning and Performance Manager 
			 1 x Agency; Grade six Equivalent—Management Accountant 
			 2 x Welsh Assembly Grade seven—Policy Advisor and 
			  SPS—Senior Personal Secretary  
			 North East: 6 
			 1 x Home Office; Grade seven Offender Management Developer 
			 3 x HMPS; EO (t/p)—Personal Assistant 
			  Senior Manager D—Commissioning Manager 
			  AO—Admin Coordinator 
			 1 x NPS; Assistant Chief Officer—Commissioning Manager 
			 1 x Agency; Grade six equivalent—Finance Manager  
			 Yorkshire and Humberside: 6 
			 1 x Home Office; Grade six—RRAP Programme Manager 
			 1 x HMPS; Senior Manager D—Commissioning Manager 
			 3 x NPS; EO—Personal Assistant, 
			  Assistant Chief Officer—Commissioning Manager 
			  Grade seven—Regional What Works Manager 
			 1 x Agency; Grade six equivalent—Management Accountant  
			 North West: 6 
			 1 x HMPS; Senior Manager B—Commissioning Manager 
			 3 x NPS; Grade seven—Regional What Works Manager 
			  Grade six—Regional Manager 
			  Grade six—Commissioning Manager 
			 2 x Agency; Grade six equivalent—Management Accountant 
			  SPS equivalent—Personal Assistant  
			 East Midlands: 5 
			 1 x Home Office; SPS—Senior Personal Secretary 
			 1 x HMPS; Senior Manager D—Commissioning Manager 
			 2 x NPS; Assistant Chief Officer—Commissioning Manager 
			  Assistant Chief Officer—Regional What Works Manager 
			 1 x Agency Grade six equivalent—Management Accountant  
			 West Midlands: 6 
			 1 x Home Office; SPS—Senior Personal Secretary 
			 1 x HMPS; Senior Manager E—Commissioning Manager 
			 3 x NPS; Grade six—Commissioning Manager 
			  Grade six—Regional Manager 
			  Assistant Chief Officer—Regional What Works Manager 
			 1 x Agency Grade six equivalent—Management Accountant  
			 South West: 6 
			 1 x Home Office; HEO—Office Manager 
			 1 x HMPS; Senior Manager C—Commissioning Manager 
			 3 x NPS; Assistant Chief Officer—Regional What Works Manager 
			  Assistant Chief Officer—Commissioning Manager 
			  Assistant Chief Officer—RRAP Programme Manager 
			 1 x Agency Grade six equivalent—Management Accountant 
			  SPS equivalent—Personal Assistant  
			 East of England: 7 
			 3 x Home Office; SPS (t/p)—Senior Personal Secretary 
			  EO—Executive Assistant 
			  Grade 7—Accountant 
			 2 x HMPS; Senior Manager D—Commissioning Manager 
			  Senior Manager D—Head of Monitoring 
			 2 x NPS; Assistant Chief Officer—SLA Development Manager 
			  Assistant Chief Officer—SLA Development Manager

Olympic Lottery

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proposals the Treasury will make in response to the latest Camelot submissions on fundraising programmes to assist the 2012 Olympic project.

Lord Davies of Oldham: Regulation of the National Lottery, including Olympic lottery games, is a matter for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the lottery regulator, the National Lottery Commission (NLC). Camelot Group plc has agreed to raise £750 million from designated Olympic lottery games over the seven-year preparatory period leading up to the 2012 London games. It is confident in its latest plans and the NLC concurs that the plans are a reasonable basis for forward planning. Sales of the initial scratch card have started very well.

Peru: Elections

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, during the United Kingdom presidency of the European Union, they are initiating any European Union monitoring of the Peruvian presidential and congressional elections in April 2006; and whether they will offer assistance to Peruvian independent organisations which intend to monitor the elections.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The European Commission has responsibility for European Union (EU) electoral observation missions. As such, it is for the Commission, in consultation with member states, to set priorities for EU electoral observation. The list of priority countries for 2006 has not been finalised. The relevant EU committees will discuss electoral observation for 2006 in the next few weeks.
	We have no plans at this time to provide direct assistance to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) engaged in election monitoring in Peru in 2006. However, we are in regular contact with a number of NGOs in Peru on democracy, good governance and human rights issues.

Prisoners: Foreign Jurisdictions

Lord Goodhart: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What efforts they have made to obtain the release of Steven Toplass from prison in Spain following his conviction in July 2004 for being involved in the transportation of drugs.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: When doubts about the validity of Mr Toplass' conviction were raised, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials met the National Crime Squad to discuss Mr Toplass' case.
	We were told that the Crown Prosecutor had written to Mr Toplass saying that there was no evidential basis for prosecuting him as a party to the conspiracy. The letter was also submitted to the judge in Spain. The judge asked for a translation of the letter and for it to be legalised. The Government provided Mr Toplass' lawyer with a legalised translation. The judge refused to acknowledge the document when it was presented to him.
	Soon after, my honourable friend the Minister for Europe at the FCO (Douglas Alexander) met the Member for Stoke-On-Trent South (Robert Flello) and the Director of Fair Trials Abroad to discuss further options.
	Our understanding is that the Spanish legal system operates on a basis of reasonable liability. This would lead to criminal liability where the court finds reason to believe that the subject might have some prior knowledge/suspicion of contents. Each case is heard on merit.

Prisoners: Foreign Jurisdictions

Lord Goodhart: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the British National Crime Squad obtained telephone intercepts relevant to the charges on which Steven Toplass was convicted which were not considered by the court at his trial.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: We do not comment on investigations made by the National Crime Squad.

Prisoners: Foreign Jurisdictions

Lord Goodhart: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will take further steps to obtain the release of Steven Toplass from prison in Spain and the quashing of his conviction there.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: We are unable to interfere in the judicial process of other countries. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will consider supporting a plea for clemency in certain circumstances. Our policy is outlined in the answer given to the Member for Blackpool North and Fleetwood (Joan Humble) on 2 May 2001 (Official Report, Commons, col. 629W). We would consider any request from Mr Toplass to support a plea for clemency if these criteria were met.

Reunion Island: Shark Bait

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the French Government about the reported use of live cats and dogs as shark bait on Reunion Island.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: We have raised this issue with the French authorities who assure us that they investigate all allegations of this kind thoroughly. The French authorities are aware of the most recent reports and are in the process of investigating the issue, together with the local authorities in Reunion. We understand that the island's chief prosecutor has also called for reinforced inspections of fishing boats in the area.

Royal Navy: Auxiliary Support Vessels

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consideration is being given, in relation to the implementation of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability programme, to building future auxiliary support vessels in overseas shipyards.

Lord Drayson: The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability project has recently entered the assessment phase and it is therefore too early to say what the final designs and specifications for these vessels might be and where the work will be carried out. We will use the assessment phase to look into the potential options, taking into account best value for money and wider industrial factors, before any decisions are made at the main gate investment point.

Salmon

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the timetable for consultations between member states of the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation and the western European Union concerning the intention to introduce emergency measures to manage and safeguard salmon stocks in Irish waters; and what is the likely date for approval by the Council of Ministers.

Lord Bach: The North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation (NASCO) does not have competence for the management of salmon stocks or fisheries within European Community waters because the EU is a single party to the NASCO Convention. Parties to the convention are required to manage stocks and fisheries within their waters. We understand .that the draft review of mixed stock fisheries for Atlantic salmon in European Community waters is still being considered by the European Commission and we are not aware of any timetable for presenting this to the Council of Ministers.

Tourism

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will appoint a tourism tsar to co-ordinate their policy with the tourism industry.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government do not believe that a tourism tsar is needed to co-ordinate policy with the tourism industry. My honourable friend the Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism works closely with the industry to ensure that the Government's tourism and other policies promote and support our visitor economy. He is greatly assisted in this by VisitBritain, which has successfully assumed an industry leadership role since 2003, in partnership with private sector organisations including the Tourism Alliance.

Tourism

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they respond to the comments of the Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge on the funding, aims, objectives and vision of the tourism industry; and whether they will reform funding of the tourism industry to reflect these comments.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government reformed the funding of tourism in 2003. VisitBritain was established as a marketing body for Great Britain with an additional remit to promote English tourism, and the English regional development agencies took on responsibility for strategic tourism development in their regions.
	The Government believe that these arrangements are working well in setting the major priorities for the funding of tourism by the public sector, which exceeded £300 million in 2004–05. However, the Government are continuing to work towards better co-ordination in funding at national, regional, and local levels. My honourable friend the Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism announced a new strategic advisory body for tourism on 15 November. The Tourism 2012 Group will shape and advise on the industry's preparations for the London Olympic Games, and improved co-ordination in funding decisions will be one of its main priorities. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is also considering how its structures for engaging the industry and the public sector at regional and local levels may be further improved.

Uganda: Lord's Resistance Army

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they are making to the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo about resolving the conflict in Northern Uganda involving the Lord's Resistance Army.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The UK has called on the Government of Uganda to protect all their citizens, including those in northern Uganda. We have frequently pressed the Government to encourage all members of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), not subject to International Criminal Court (ICC) or national arrest warrants, to seek amnesty, reconciliation and reintegration into their communities.
	We have urged the Congolese Government to take robust action against any LRA members on their soil, and to co-ordinate their actions with the Ugandan armed forces. We have further reminded them of their international responsibilities, as a state party to the Rome Statute of the ICC, to facilitate the arrest and transfer to ICC jurisdiction of LRA members subject to an ICC arrest warrant.

Ulster-Scots Language and Culture

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the BBC with a view to increasing its output of broadcasts reflecting Ulster-Scots language and culture in Northern Ireland.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Green Paper on the BBC charter review published in March made clear that providing dedicated programming in and for each of the devolved nations of the United Kingdom should be a vital part of the BBC's role and that this should include provision in indigenous minority languages across a range of platforms.
	Further details will be contained in the forthcoming White Paper.